Operating means for circuit-controlling mechanism



May 21,1929 w, sco' r'r 1,713,629

OPERATING MEANS FOR CIRCUIT CONTROLLING-MECHANISM Filed Dec. 16, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 1 flak 72W TOR MiG 1 84 u ATTORNEY May 21, 1929. w SCOTT 1,713,629

OPERATING MEANS FOR CIRCUIT CONTROLL ING MECHANISM.

Filed Dec. 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENT 0 BY MAJ 2 ATTORNEY y 21, 1929- w. M. scoTT Q 1,713,629

OPERATING MEANS FOR CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FlG 4 FIG. @A

INVENTOR MZMAM 1 4 ATTORNEY Patented May 21, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OPERATING MEANS FOR CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

Application filed December 16, 1926. Serial No. 155 ,219.

- My invention relates to operating means for circuit-controlling mechanisms and more particularly to operating means for switches or circuit-breakers of the type which may be actuated by a plurality of sources of power, more particularly of the type which may either be actuated -manually or controlled from a more or less remote point, by the application of power.

My invention resides in an operating means of the character above described, whose movement is modified, more particularly, retarded, when efiected by one source of power, more particularly, by the means controlled from a remote point.

Specifically, my invention resides in an operating means of the character mentioned, which, when actuated -manually, opens or closes a switch or circuit breaker, and which,

when actuated by a remotely controlled means, more:particularly, an electro-magnet,

trips a switch or, circuit breaker immediately or closes it after an interval.

My invent-ion further resides in the features of novelty hereinafter described and claimed. T

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a switch or circuit-breaker, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

. Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 1, of part of the electro-magnetic operating mechanism.

F ig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation, and on a larger scale of the retarding device and its operator shown in Figs. land 2.

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary plan view of parts shown in Fig. 4. 1

Figs. 6 and (rare fragmentary sectional views, with parts in elevation, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig.7 is a diagrammatic view, illustrating a possible circuit arrangement which may be employed.

Upon a base 1 of suitable insulating material, such as slate or marble, are secured the terminal blocks 2 and 3, with which electrical communication is afforded through the conducting studs 4. Adapted to bridge and electrically connect contacts 2 and 3 is the movable contact member 5, preferably laminated. When so constructed, and particularly when heavy currents are carried thereby, the member 5 acts as a stiff spring which is under compression when the switch or circuit breaker is in the closed-circuit position. This member is fastened in any suitable manner to the arm 6 pivoted in the housing 7 at 8. The metallic shunt contact 9, and the carbon shunt contact 10 are also carried by the pivoted arm and engage, respectively, the fixed, metallic contact 11 and the carbon contact 12. During the circuit-- opening movement of member 5, the current is shunted through these contacts which open in succession, the final are taking place between the carbon contacts.

The actuating lever 13 pivoted to the housing 7 at 14, is provided at its inner end with a pin 15, which serves as a movable pivot for the bifurcated link 16. The arm 17 is pivoted at one end, as at 18, to the housing 7 and at its other end is pivoted the link 16 as at 19.

The link 16 is provided with a surface adapted to engage an extension of lever 13 to prevent the over-travel of the toggle comprising the links- 13 and. 16, the end pivots being 14 and 19, and the intermediate pivot 15. A second toggle, not completely shown, is comprised of links 17 and 20, the end pivots being 18 and 19 and the intermediate pivot is 21. A spring 22 is connected at its one end to the pivoted arm 6 and its other end to the pivot 15, forming a connection between toggle links 16 and 13. This spring is under tension when the switch is in the closed-circuit position, as shown in Fig. 1.

Theswitch or circuit breaker is maintained in that position by the gravity latch or weighted dog member 23, which is pivoted at one end at 15 and at the other end engages the roller 24, pivoted at 25 to the housing 7 The latch member thus receives the t-hrustof spring 22 and prevents the collapse of the toggles with consequent circuit rupture.

The housing member 26, fastened to the base member 1, by any suitable means and preferably made of a magnetizable material,

receives the coil 27 in the annular groove 28 in its upper face, which, when energized, attracts the armature 29 from its biased upper position against the stop 30. This movement of the armature is transmitted to, and causes the counterclockwise rotation of, the tripping arm 31, pivoted to the housing 7 at 25, by the connecting link 32. The offset extension 33 of the member 31 pushes the latch 23 from engagement with the roller 24, whereupon the tensioned spring 22 causes the collapse of the toggles described. The movable contact flies to the open circuit V V to eac'h'ofthe levers 34"so that'upon actua position and the factuating arm 13 rotates counterclockwise from the position shown in The levers 34, pivoted at to the housing member 26, are connected to the switch ac tuating lever 1 3 by;the,rod 36, which, at its upper end, is suitably fastened in the block 37 to the member 13 aft-J38, and at its lower end I is likewise attached to a yoke member. 39 through theend of which passes the pin 40. The handle 41 and the pin lOare connected tion of the handle',-movement is; imparted to the levers 34E and thence to the switch-' actuating arm 13, through the pin-.. l0, yoke 39,' rod 36, block-37 and pin 38. V p To close the switch manually, the handle 41 is graspeda'ndthe lever 34 moved in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig.1; During the movement the lever 13 rotates in a clockwise direction, tensioning thespring 22and,' at the same time, moves the toggle members to the position shown in the same figure. The'latch 23,under its own weight or by [a biasing 1 means not shown, engages vthe'roller 24 as previously described and prevents the toggles from collapsing when the handle ll is released. Thisioperation is m'ore fully described in my Patent 1,193,622 which utilizes similar structure. The swltch 'or clrcult breaker also be closed by .energization of, the v solenoid coil 42dispo'sed1in the housing 26,

which,fwhen current isappl-ied, attractsthe core. member 43 to an upper position. The

movement of the. .core is transmitted to the switch=operatinglever by the cross rod l,

which ..;..extends.. transversely through the screws as indicated oriin any suitable man-' guide slot 10f member 45, which is attached to thellowerend of thehousing 26. The rod is firmlyfsecured toflthe core {l3 by machine her, and its ends are pivoted asat 4 7 in the depending links 48, which are,'in turn, pivotally supported 5 by the operating levers at49. 1

V The core is movableina cylinder 50, preferably of non-magnetic; imaterial such as brass, and is provided with an: expanding ring, 51, OF'OiLhGIE'SLllfiLblG packmg'means.

, During the downward movementoi' the core,

1 thechamber formed abovethe top of the piston isin communicationwith the-atmosphere not only' t-hrough port andapertures in guide member-Q61 but also throughport'52,

which extends longitudinally] of the core member 43 having an outlet 52 at its lower end, and which is enlargedat its upper end. to form a seat for .the ball check-valve 53. The aperture d plate :54, or any equivalent, prevents the. ball from. leaving the core plunger member during movement of the core particularly in a downward direction,

" when the ball temporarily leaves its seat.

The space above the piston is also incommunication with the atmosphere through port 55, which extends to the outer surface of the housing 26 and is continued to valvecasing 56by a connection plug 57, threaded into each of these members. Packing ring 58 is clamped between the housing 26 and the plug 57 in the manner shown in Figs. 6

and-G i The valve casing is provided with two valves,-one of which, valve 59, may be opened or closed, and the other of which, 1

valve 60, is normally always'openyalthough the extent of the opening is variable at: will.

Each of these valves-controls the passage of V air-between the port 52am the atmosphere. The movable valve memb'er 59 passes through,-and is guided by, the apertured plug 61, threaded into the-upper end of the ot'ed armature 67 has an extension 68, which: engages the prolongation of one of the levers The armature may be biasedto its un attracted 7 position by the valve-opening spring 62. The core member 69 isthreaded '95,

into the housing 26 andsupports the coil of the electro-magnet.

The circuits, lncluding the electro-magnets, are controlled by two switches, one of p which is manually operated'at a remote point and the other of which is automatically actuated by the-movement of switching mechanism; The latter switch consists ot a single, 'movable contact member, 70, wh ch alternately engages the fixed contacts '74 and 75.

The movement of this switch is effected by i the rod 71, connected at its upper end to the switch mechanism and at its lower end-provided with a slot in which the pin 72- is free to slide. 7 Thehoriziontally angular arm'73 is rigidly attached tothe cross rod 44mm transmits its movement tomovable contact 70 through the pin 72 and the extremities of limits of its travel.

ment with contact 7 4 when the rod is in the lower position, and in engagement with. con-Q the slot of 71, as the cross rod approaches the V V The relation otthe parts is such that the arm 'TOis in engage- 7 tact 751when the rod is in the'upper position.

. Referring, to Fig. 7, theterminals ofthe trip coil'27 are connected respectively to the fixed contact .75 of t'heautomatically operated switch and to the fixed contact 760i the V J remote control switch77. The coils 66 and 42 are connected in series with-each other and with the Contact Mot the automatic switch and contact v.78ofthe m'anually operable switch 77.

Operation.Assun1ingthe main contact 7 'member 5,,to be in the closed circuitposition,

actuating arm 13, the operating'lever 34 and associated elements, approach the limit of their movement during such circuit-opening operation, the pin 72 engages the bottom of the slot. in the rod 71 and throws the movable contact out of engagement with contact and into engagement with contact 74, de-

. energizing the circuit of the tripping coil,

though the manually operable contact 77 remains in contact with 76. The tripping arm 81 may also be actuated by means not shown, responsive to a condition of the circuit controlled by the contacts 2, 3, and 5.

The core member 43, being connected to the operating arm by the link 48, is positively impelled in a downward direction, and, since the space above the core plunger is in communication with the atmosphere through the port 52, and also through port 55 communicating with the apertures in guide member 61, the retarding effect exerted on the movable switch mechanism during its switch-opening movement is a minimum.

The switch may also be opened by the direct manipulation of the trip arm 31, instead of by-the energization of a trip coil.

The switch may be closed manually in the manner previously described, and, since the chamber above the piston is in frce'communication with the atmosphere through both of the valve openings associated with port 55, such movement is unhampered by the presence of the P8881178 core. plunger of the electro-magnet 42. The movable contact member 70 is restored, during re-closure, to its original position in engagement with contact 75, so that opposite movement of same may subsequently be effected electromagnetically.

When the main contact 5 is in the open circuit position, the automatically operated contact 70 is in engagement with the fixed contact 74. By moving theremote control switch in a clockwise direction to engage contact 78, coil 42 is energized and, as previously described, moves the plunger 43 upwardly to close the switch. This upward movement is not free, however, as in the case when the switch is manually closed. The coil 66, beingin circuit with coil 42, is energized simultaneously with it and attracts armature 67 to close the movable valve 59, so that the air trapped above the piston may escape only through the adjustably restricted opening regulated by the second valve 60. As the switch or circuit-breaker mechanism approaches the fully closed-circuit position, the movable switch blade 70 is forced out of engagement with contact 74, breaking the circuit, and into contact with 75, .so that the succeeding switch operation may be effected from the remote control station.

The circuit condition of the main switch may be indicated at the remote control point by lamps or other suitable indicators 79 and 80, which are alternately energized as the main switch is opened and closed by the double throw switch 83, suitably connected to any moving part of the main switch mechanism, such as by a lever 84 having a slot which receives a reduced extension of the cross rod 44.

WVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with circuit-controlling means, of operating means therefor adapted to be actuated by any one of a plurality of sources of power and means whereby the movement of said operating means is modified only when effected by one of said sources.

- 2. The combination with circuit-controlling means, of operating means therefor adapted to be actuated by any one of a plurality of sources of power and means whereby the movement of said operating means is retarded only when effected by one of said sources.

3. The combination with circuit-controlling means, of operating means therefor adpated to be actuated either manually or by other application of power, and means whereby the movement of said operating means is modified only when effected by application of other than manual power.

4. The combination with circuit-controlling means, of operating means therefor adapted to be actuated by any one of a plu rality of sources of power and means whereby the movement of said operating means in one direction is modified when effected by certain of said sources.

5. The combination with circuit-controlling means, of operating means therefor adapted to be actuated by any one of a plurality of sources of power and means where by the movement of said operating means in one direction is retarded only when effected by certain of said sources.

6. The combination with circuit-controlling means, of operating means therefor adapted to be actuated by either of two sources of power and means whereby the movement of said operating means in one direction is modified only when effected by one of said sources.

7. The combination with circuit-controlling means, of operating means therefor adapted to be actuated either manually or by other application of power, and means whereby the movement of said operating means in one direction is modified only when effected by the than manualpower. I

8.- The combination with -circu'iti-con'tro1- ling means, of operating means therefor adapted to be actuated either manually or by other application of" power, and means wherebyth'e movement of said operating 'means is retarded only when eiiec ted by'the certain of said sources.

application'of other than manual power;

9."Tl18 combination of circuit-controlling means',o;t' operating means therefor adapted to be actuated by any one of a plurality-of sources ot'power, and means whereby the movement" of said second means is unrestrained'in one direction and lSIGStl'ZtlhQCl in anotherfdirection only when efiected by 10. The combination or" circuit controlling means, or operating means therefor adapted to be actuated by'either of two sources of 'ov'ver V and means 'whei'eb the movement the application 'ofother than manual powein.

of said second means is unrestrained 011 one direction and is i'estraine'd'in another direction only when effected by one of said sources." Y 1 11. The combination otcircuit controlling means, of operating means therefor adapted to-be actuated either manuallyor by other ,application'of power, and means whereby the inovement' ofysaid second means is un- "restrainedin one direction and is restrained in'another direction only whenbefiect'ed by ling means 'of electro-magneltic operating means therefor, electro-inagnetic means for controlling a fluid passage energized con{ currentlyavitli said first electromagnetic means to influence' the increment of said operating means. v

l4.- The combination with circuit-controlling means of electro-magnetic operating means therefor, electro-magnetic means energized concurrently with said firstielectromagnetic means to retard. the movement of said operating means.

- application of 15. The combination of circiiit controlling means, ofoperating means therefor adapted to be actuated either manually or electromagnetically, and auxiliary electro-ma'gnetic means energized when said operating means is electroanagnetically actuated to influence its movement; V

' 16.}The' combination means, of operatingmeans therefor adapted to be actuated either *manually or electromagnetically, and; additional electro-inagof circuit-controlling netic means energized-when said operating.

means is electro-iiiagnetically actuated to retard its movement.

17, The combination with circuit controlling means, of electro niagnetic operating means therefor, and additionalelectro-magnetic 'o ermting means energized concurrentlytherewith for controlling a fluid vent and thereby 'aiiecting the rate of movement of said operating'ineans. y V 18. The combination w th circuit controlling mechanism, of operating means .thei'e-' for adapted'tobe actuated either manually or electro inagnetically, and, eleetro-magnetic meai'isiadapted' to be energized-only concurrently with the energization of said electromagnetic IOPfii'fliZlDg means for "re stricting the escape of an elastic fluid opposing movement of said'ineans, whereby re-' tardatioii of said means in one direction is G'il'QCbGCl.

19in an electro-magnetically operated circuit controller, manual and electramagnetic operated mechanism therefor, auxiliary electro-magneticallyoperated means for con trolling a valve regulating the degree of fluid resistance to the movement of said operating mechanism whereby the resistance a maximum when said op'erating nechanism is electro-niagnetically actuated.

" 20 In an electro-niagneticallyfoperated circuit controller, manual and electro-inag netic operating mechanism therefor, electroma netic o aeratin means controllin fluid C! b C: v

escape'whereby' resistance to movementfof said operating mechanism in a given 'direc' tion' is varied within predetermined limits, said limits depending onthe method of actuating said operating mechanism] v ILLIA M. SCOTT. I 

